All user reviews for the Focal CMS 50

Before I used that had as passive failure to make unmanageable mix at low Tannoy. As my space is very limited I also need tracks can be placed very close to the walls.
I use it mainly for recording vocals, guitar, bass, synths and prémixs and mixes.

SOUNDS

Rendering is excellent on all frequencies and considering the fact that I record a lot of acoustic instruments, the lack of subwoofer does not bother me too much. The sound is clear and detailed across the spectrum and I can easily and quickly identify any defects in the catch, which allows me to be safe for the integration of sounds on the final mix.

OVERALL OPINION

I use them for three years and they make me gain a lot of time on prémixs that I often do in an emergency. I used mainly passive Tannoy before.
What pleases me most with these Focal is the time saved through improved reliability listening.
This I like least is the lack of protection of the speakers, because once the gates removed can no longer use them and I move quite frequently.
I realized using these monitors (despite their high quality), it is important is to know well its speakers, ear offsetting the final defects.
Yes, I do it again this choice without problem.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

I tasted the SM9 studio, but being out of budget I pulled on the CMS series with the board and after listening to some colleagues in the middle.

For what purpose? What amp / What configuration?

I use mainly for mixing in a more than acceptable sound. My board is envion 14m2. These are my main monitors.

SOUNDS

The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral?

I was very neutral before the Dynaudio BM 5A MKII This is far better over neutrality and depth.

The sound is clear and precise on the spectrum?

Very neutral nothing to add. Obviously the SM6 / SM9 series is even better but this is another budget.

The stereo image is good?

At first it is destabilizing because the stereo width is amazing. After running it is beautiful.

The dynamics are respected?

Do not be fooled by their size, they monitor have considerable dynamic!

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

I know for 1year, I finally cracked by buying my pair there a few days.

Have you tried many other models before buying it?

The SM9 series SM6 with twin Solo 6 My Dynaudio BM 5A MKII, of Adam A77X, Genelec 8040 .... ect ...

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

Pros: The sound!! But also affordable compared to the quality of the proposed whether audible or physical product.

Cons: Do not have tried earlier lol! Seriously I blame their weight which is quite impressive compared to their size.

How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice?

the ratio Q / P is quite reasonable especially for the made in France. If it were to be remade? Yes eyes closed

NB: Note that it is important to monitor these lapping at the beginning because their sound is very disturbing limit disturbing.


The

+ For what purpose?
Purchased for computer music & mixing

SOUNDS

+ The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral?
For me yes. I use it in an untreated room, but the sound correct.

+ The stereo image is good?
Very good

+ The sound is clear and precise on the spectrum?
Very! They do not go down very low, but it does not bother me, and yet I make electronic music! Good headphones for working the low end and presto!

+ The dynamics are respected?
Yes. They respect all styles of music, even the most demanding (classical, jazz ...)

OVERALL OPINION

+ How long have you use it?
Since about 7 months

+ What is the particular feature you like best and least?
The sound quality of course, we have the pleasure to work with and listen

+ Have you tried many other models before buying it?
Krk RP6. Incomparable!

+ How do you rate the quality / price?
Expensive for an amateur, but when we hear one knows where the money went ...

+ With experience, you do again this choice?
Yeah, or to a higher range!


I do not put 10 overall opinion as higher ranges above them ... but I love them!

I bought my home listening to CMS50 studio near
I made the competitors in the same price range (Dynaudio, Genelec, Krk)
quality is clearly audible focal

SOUNDS

This is where the magic happens, these little critters are quite surgical, the overall sound is defined, the default appear obvious.
strong point? mediums that are of breathtaking clarity, rendering stamps and contents and really amazing
the weak point is low, in fact, there's more from 45kz person, the defect can be closed with the addition of a sub, but hey, it is true that a little more precision the bottom was not a luxury

OVERALL OPINION

I tested a lot of listening, because I used to go to studios studios
I worked on a lot of different brands and models, I love the sound and the focal CMS50
I make good, sound is good it seems clear, I would say that the curve is fairly linear

yes I remake this choice, or I will opt for a model like the above example line6

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
Small footprint.
I bought the bag that goes well with Focal.
I wanted a pair of portable monitor to go from making sounds or live in musicians.

For what purpose?
Sound recording, mixing and mastering eventually.

What amp / What configuration?
No sub for now.

SOUNDS

The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral?
Ben for my taste, yes.

The stereo is good?
It is very surprising compared to the speakers I had before. The image is so large (always compared to my old speakers) it took me a while to learn how to place instruments in the mix.

The sound is clear and precise across the spectrum?
I did not make a precise analysis, but all I can say is that since I've taken with them and most of the mixes, I do not have any surprises on passing of Other system.
Before I had to extrapolate the result by thinking what would happen on a particular type of listening.
is the WIHIWIG (What I hear is what I get) sound.
The zikos with whom I work are taken as they listen to will sound in the end.
I re-listened to my albums reference on these speakers and I realized they were not all as clean as I thought, because they show me all the kinks taken.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?
7 months

Did you tried many other models before buying it?
I had Behringer 3031, and Genelec 8020, and there's no picture I find the Focals though less flattering and more realistic.

What is so special that you love the most, least?
+ Sound analytical
+ Mute and volume in front
+ Decoupling and the sole of the adjustable feet
- Small rotary switches on the back (low cut etc ...) that require a precision screwdriver to adjust.

How would you rate the quality / price?
Very good, considering the time it saves me.

With experience, you do again this choice?
YES! but I think that if I have more budget I'll go to the more upscale at Focal ...

Amateur home studio, mix for 8 years on Edirol MA-10D.
4 years since I moved into a house where I come from me finish up a room dedicated to music, which she was a bit on standby.
I dreamed of real monitors for a while but to pay the house, work, kids, life, and then the price not to mention that I did not "need" per se ...
This year I celebrated my 40th birthday and I took the opportunity to put them on my wish list and I got them!

SOUNDS

In a room of 37m ² without treatment, it already sounds of thunder.
I rediscovered all the mixes in great detail, it is impressive.
The example of Dark side of the moon for me Floyd was a real first listen, including The Great Gig In The Sky.
No ear fatigue even after many hours sometimes at high volume when the sound is clear and without any signs of saturation.
This surgery is almost never be cold and I did not notice any exaggeration in the ear of frequency.

OVERALL OPINION

I have tried many other models in this price range but this time it was love at heart ...
The nickel finish, the many settings in the rear vents on the front, the switch and the volume at the front and finally their sound make it an excellent choice.
They richly deserve the good press that they did.
I like the idea of ​​being able to add them later the box associated CMS Sub but for now I have no need.
They send the wood as the kids would say and as I like to say since I'm the zik is the best thing I bought.

Speaker pro active 2-way near
- 1 hp / midrange Focal 5 inch (13cm) membrane "polyglass", by drying a large section laminar port
- 2 inverted dome tweeter with aluminum / magnesium.
- Connect RCA or XLR
- 5 switches to manage certain frequencies.

I use them with a sound card of MK893 MOTU preamp and a SPL. Sounds!

SOUNDS

Enclosure near neutral ... lack of bass can be seen but it seems normal configuration. Acute nikel not screaming, no frequency is emphasized. Stereo image intact. Its also clear that strong low-level and this is very significant (it is not obliged to destroy the ears nice)

OVERALL OPINION

I use them for some months and after running a few and mix the record is quite impressive. Home studio to work is more than enough if they have other stereo pairs to compare.
For the pair that made a nice little ticket (about € 850), the price / quality ratio is therefore very good when you know the price of some speakers, which is more passive!
I go back without a problem.

High accuracy over the entire curve, no flattery, no excessive bass, works perfectly well at all volumes, and can be used in a small space.

SOUNDS

the curve is neutral, the observed dynamic, precise stereo imaging, sound very clear.

OVERALL OPINION

I use them for 2 years, I worked on several models of Genelec and Yamaha, low and high range of scales, and focals are an excellent quality / price ratio.
Big positives: 1: the low mids and bass are very precise and beautiful, it does not bleed at all.
2: you can really work with small volume, and verif high volume does not reveal many errors.

With the experience I would do this choice.

A professional advised me to these speakers.
I use them for computer music and also for listening to music.
They are bulky and have little screw to adjust the tilt, and a rubber backing.
They are connected to the soundcard.

SOUNDS

I am not so "advanced" to judge the sound, but the speaker has settings to compensate for acoustic defects.
My impression is that they are neutral, that the dynamics is respected, that the stereo is good and the sound is clear and precise.

OVERALL OPINION

This is my first studio monitors, I own them for a year.
I rediscovered my discography with these plays neutral.
A little more is the sleep front.
In my opinion, these are professional stereo loudspeakers.

- What characteristics have motivated your choice?
I warn now, I use is special, I use to mix, but the mix as a DJ!
I currently use the 2.1 PC speakers Altec Lansing 621.
I was looking for this configuration also due to a restriction of space, my office being placed against a wall.
I did this knowingly purchase a subwoofer to be released in 2009, apparently after September.

So I sought both event front, a front power button and volume control as well. Few models even do hardly any!
Ergonomically it is very successful.

Aesthetically they are beautiful and well supplied: a rubber support is provided to minimize vibration and ... not to scratch my office?! :-P
6 plots are provided so two adjustable heights.

I forgot the many possible settings when the correction of mid, high, low cutoff frequency, ...

The weight is at once a guarantee of quality: Solid, solid, it does not vibrate a bit.

The power is impressive: 80 watts low and medium, 50 watts for the treble.
A fourth volume, it is more than enough.

A monitor for the sound quality even though technically I can not give you much

SOUNDS

- The frequency curve is sufficiently neutral?
- The stereo image is good?
- The sound is clear and precise on the spectrum?
- The dynamics are respected? ...

As I said earlier I do not know.
They ring true for me, no exaggeration in any frequency regardless of the volume, it is a forum for monitoring! :-P

The sound is so clear that sometimes I can almost hear the ringing of my mobile phone, another person talking behind me and yes sometimes I go back to see if it's true or not!

According to what is low, certainly it does not vibrate, but I'm in ooptique to that of the range ...

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
I use them for a month.

- What is so special that you like most and least?
- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
I have not tried other models, the others have in any ergonomics (see paragraph 1)
Yes I'm crazy, I bought them without listening, relying solely on the guarantee of quality Focal. On the one hand I was not looking for a pregnant monotoring perfect, I wish the speakers where I can clearly hear everything around on my desk, nothing gained.

- How would you rate the quality / price?
Certainly, the speakers at this price are much more expensive, you can easily get 8 inches, such as M-Audio Studiophile BX8.
Focal is always a luxury price for a quality education. The quality is paid for sure, but there would have been € 350 more reasonable (€ 429 in January 2009)
If these speakers hold me over 5 years, so I do not regret the purchase.

Whether to buy them back, yes I will redeem them without hesitation.

- How would you rate the quality / price?
- With experience, you do again this choice? ...

I wanted to replace my Alesis MKII as a given that despite the costs and enjoyable work with it my crappy mixes easily taient on other speakers (stereo, radio, headphones, etc. .. .). Following the test on the CMS FY 65 I shall decide to invest in the CMS 50 whose power is enough for me.

SOUNDS

Aprsdballage first observation: they are compact compared my rev Alesis, it saves space on the spot but we wonder what can come out of these small formats. Then mount the brackets (possibility to tilt the speakers), turn brush guards (dlicat, be drawn with the hook ...), installation and testing.

One senses immediately that they are monitors and speakers do not have to flatter the listener. For work done as quickly and we feel we will do a good job with (eg mean clearly masking frequency drives on house mixes). Excellent Stereo Image, my Alesis n'taient too picked it up on this plan but the Retailer is infinitely more about CMS. The bass is like dj read, perfectly controlled, if you push a little volume you take the pear in the full sense of the word. Regarding the depth is the same feeling with the pan: there are perfectly the location of a particular instrument Fawn trsdtaille, no need for headphones spatialized.

OVERALL OPINION

They are running and running from approximately 12am, I like them more as and when the cost you, I learn to know them, I immediately find the dtails which had less access s (I heard them but c'tait Dfine least, less easily identifiable.

[edit] I redo 2 mixes mixes with the former Alesis ... how to say ... is impeccable ... everything is clear, distinct and all without forcing in a short time, has more freedom to mix cratif aspect than knowing you can not crash (on some of rsultat of other costs) we try more things. It's like a deep-frozen eat cro-wave cooking then eat the same dish at a great cook, moving from a flat on a plaster indistinct one distinguishes each ingrdient, each condiment as and chewing.

Regrets: yes, if I had bought more tt I save time and energy. These CMS became the main tool of my home studio.

...

SOUNDS

...

OVERALL OPINION

I received it a few months ago and after a little time to get used to it, I found myself complete with its speakers. Before, I had the Tannoy Reveal Active, and I was moderately satisfied, it annoyed me, the bottom was not accurate and I had to concentrate more than reason to mix. Today, the Focals deliver a precise sound, balanced and not aggressive. I can focus on music, Death Metal style in my case, and nothing but the music. And for the bass, I control the headphones and everything works.
Their size is perfect for me given my environment, and what I produce and after listen to on other systems I take comfort in this choice of speakers.
I found the quality / price excellent and with experience, I would repeat the same choice.

Robustness.
Their power, just enough.
The volume knob on the front.
The many settings on the back.

My usage: 70% for listening (all my cds tell them thank you), 30% rock-funk production.

My equipment: CD player Marantz CD-63 MKII Signature Sound Card E-MU 1616 Laptop DELL

I play bass and guitar in it, with Tech21 preamps, effects and reverb Lexicon EBS. No comment. It is royal.

This product meets my expectations. 10/10

SOUNDS

Respects the frequency: the sound seems clear, no frequency seems flattened or withdrawn, unlike other products like Genelec, Yamaha, KRK ... Especially, there is "air".

The dynamics are excellent, uniform across all frequencies.

The stereo image is impressive, but I do not have a relevant point of comparison (My stereo system was not playing in the same court).

The sound is chopped but still not aggressive (after running anyway, I got a scare at first listen!)

The sound is exceptional, even though there may be "better" for highs (ie Adam) and lows (eg Genelec), the general result is the most balanced that I could listen to.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 1 week, intensive listening to my music (Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg is a killer, the last part Truffaz orbit, let alone Massive Attack, Radiohead, Blur: it is pure!).

I listened to all the models available for testing in a store in Paris:

Yamaha NS50 / 80 / MSP5
KRK of the same price range
Genelec ditto
Focal CMS 40 (less seat, even if they are also very good)

What I love most: their size, their ability to live music.
What I like less the output of conventional systems amps and speaker "Stereo".
These are the most loyal speakers I have ever heard.

Excellent value for money, even if the psychological barrier of 800 €, with the cables, made me think twice.

Focal quality is well established, although there were leaders in Hi-Fi, the monitoring result is simply spectacular.
Furthermore it is not being chauvinistic but its French so on the and customer service and product tracking side it is more comfortable and reassuring.

I own a Fostex PM1 that has served me well for several years, but now I work in finer style than when I was working on PM1 (a hardcore / hard techno style).
My productions are rather oriented more toward electro music but also some hip-hop/abstract tracks.

That said, for versatile work they are completely fitting.
I work with Cubase and Live, with a synth in hardware and a "small" Uc RME .... 

SOUNDS

For neutrality, I say YES
when I tested them in the store, they seemed small and desperately poor in low frequencies (notably below 50Htz)

But once installed in my small studio, they are perfect, and in terms of stereo image they are really amazing: it surgical

The clarity is stunning, but it's true that I do not own a whole bunch of nonplus monitors to compare .... but still, I think they are well above the lot.

The dynamics seem to be correct given their size.

Their strong point is in medium

OVERALL OPINION

Since 2 months

Apart from the Fostex PM1, I tried Yamaha and Adam but not really satisfied

The weak point is obviously the low frequencies, even if they are made correctly, to Drum & Bass styles the purchase of a Sub seems essential .... if not, then for rock and even techno as well because it passes ... little we have is extremely accurate ... does not flow like "rumble"

The quality / price ratio is worthy, I would repeat without hesitation that choice

The only problem is that since this purchase I have to remix all my prods because at this level Focals do not miss: A rotten sound, sounds really rotten ....

Why did I not buy them earlier !!!!!!!! ah yes ... due to the price, at the moment I don't have the sub, ..... I complete the set. ...